google sketchup introduction workshops · google sketchup to get started simply open google...

Digital Design and Communication Teaching (DiDACT)University Of SheffieldDepartment of Landscape

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Google SketchUp INTRODUCTION WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOP 1 -What is SketchUp + What Does It Do?

Outcomes:

-A basic understanding of SketchUp uses and outcomes-Why you would use it for project development-A basic understanding of workspace-Basic ability to use/ get satrted on a SketchUp project

As you go through the work shops, it is advisable to have a go at following the methods presented, follow the PRACTICE prompts to get the most out of them.


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Examples:

Google SketchUp is a 3D design platform which allows you to design and build anything from an intricate bolt to a full scale, detailed city.

It is a valuable resource for landscape architects in both academic and professional arenas, with proficient users being snapped up quickly by employers.

Some of the most common uses of SketchUp are as follows:-Standard 3D modelling -Topography modelling-Site Survey and analysis-City/ Town massing plans-Large and small scale site design-Shadow testing-Perspective views, and many more

Leeds City Centre RiversideSimple massing plan of Leeds riverside, Extruded from Scaled Cad base.Using ‘Iconic’ buildings (Corn exchange and Church) downloaded from Google SketchUp 3D warehouse. (see resource list)


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Examples: Standard 3D modelling

MLA project, Sneinton MarketSimple step, seat and planter model

MLA project, Sneinton Market-Simple detailed structures used to form spaces-Tables and seat components imported from Google SketchUp 3D warehouse


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Examples: Topography modelling

Large Scale Topography ModelUsing OS referenced Cad contours to form precise landform

Topography modelled from ScratchSimple landforms can be extruded. eg. bunds, hills and retaining mounds


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Nottingham ring road


Examples: Site survey and analysis

MLA project, Sneinton MarketSimple site built form extruded from Cad Base, exported to photoshop

MLA project, Sneinton MarketBuildings of interest detailed with Site photos, Google street view and Aerials


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Examples: City/ Town massing plans

Generic City ModelSimple 3D blocks drawn to scale can quickly populate a model

Generic City Model, Plan ViewColouring buildings and street-scapes in different ways can quickly highlight density/ open spaces


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Examples: Large and small scale site design

MLA project, Sneinton Market2ha Site designed and modelled to full Masterplan detail

MLA project, Sneinton MarketDetailed areas within masterplan, resolved and built to a level needed for construction detailing. Exact levels, edges, handrails etc.


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Examples: Shadow testing

MLA project, Sneinton Market, Proposed outdoor performance space.Shadows used to test canopy coverage and shade potential

Generic Building Outer.SketchUp shadows showing level of cover porvided by canopy structure


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Examples: Perspective views

MLA Project, Leeds Riverside ProposalSimple skecthes over scale model of site (exported as Jpeg from SketchUp)

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MLA Project, Leeds Riverside ProposalSimple skecthes over scale model of site (exported as Jpeg from SketchUp)


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To get started simply open Google SketchUp, It will launch straight into the application, though from here it is ideal to set up your drawing. (Explained below)

The application is similar to AutoCad in that the workspace (green and blue areas (Fig 1.)) represents a 1:1 virtual environment. With no predefined limits to drawing extents.

As a default, SketchUp provides you with a three dimensional Axes (green, red and blue) from which to start modelling. This aids you when working in 3D as it can be easy to get disorientated when panning through your 3D environment.

As discussed earlier, it is best to set up your drawing units and tolerances before you start modelling. This can be done later but it does require re-scaling everything in the drawing.

To set up your drawing (Fig 2.); click on the ‘window’ tab, and select ‘model info’. Select ‘units’ from the list on the left, then choose ‘decimal’ and ‘meters’ or ‘millimeteres’ (which ever you work best in) from the ‘format’ drop down menus.

Note: If you choose to work in meters you will need to set the drawing precision to at least 4 decimal places (0.0000m) otherwise you will not be able to draw anything under 1M.


Principles: Workspace, Document Set Up

Fig 1.

Fig 2.

Axes


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Before you start modelling, it may be worth having a quick practice at moving in and around your SketchUp environment.

Practice: Using the tools highlighted in figure 1. have a go at panning and orbiting around the 2D character.

Tips: The following shortcuts are very useful, especially within a complicated model.-Zoom shortcut. Roll central roller on your mouse-Orbit shortcut. Press & hold the central roller on you mouse-Pan shortcut. Hold shift and press & hold central roller on your mouse

Note: (figure 2.) You can tell that you are panning around as the axis (red and green lines) have moved.


Principles: Workspace Exploration, Orientation

Pan

ZoomZoom Extents

Orbit

Fig 2.

Fig 1.


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Example, standard cube. Which could be used to represent a building, form part of a bench or a brick wall, depending on the scale.

There are two main ways to make a cube. Either to draw it line by line using the ‘Pencil’ tool (Fig 1.) Or to draw one of the faces and then extrude it using the ‘Extrude’ tool (Fig 2.).

Note: To ensure the cube is drawn square and to aid future editing, it is important to snap your drawing lines to the relevant axis line.

Practice: Using both methods described, try making a simple cube 1.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m.

Tip: When drawing lines, angles or extruding faces, type the exact measurements in when promted; “Select end point or enter value”. This will ensure all your sides/ faces match up, which will allow sketchUp to auto fill faces.


Principles: Basic Drawing

Fig 1.

Fig 2.


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Principles: Basic Drawing Cont.

Occasionaly you will need to draw 90deg from something which doesn’t sit square to the axes.

To do this accurately, you need to set up a ‘guide’ 90deg from the cube which you can then snap your new lines too.

Step 1. Select the ‘protractor’ from the ‘tools’ drop down menu.Step 2. With the protractor selected as your cursor, (holding shift on relevant axis) select the centre point where you want the guide to sit.Step 3. Then select a point along the cube edge (to set your zero point) and type in the angle required.

You should now have a guide at your predefined angle to snap your lines too. (Fig 2.)

Practice: Have a go at drawing an offset square parallel to your cube by using guides drawn at 90deg to each other. (Fig 3.)

Note: Guides can be deleted or turned off in the ‘view’ tab.

Fig 1.

Fig 2. Fig 3.

Step 2

Step 1

Step 3

Guide drawn 90deg to cube face.


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Principles: Layers

Similarly to Cad and Photoshop, layers are an integral part of SketchUp. They are particularly useful when setting up scenes for exporting images (Covered in later Workshop). Also when a file is of considerable size, turning particular layers off will stop SketchUp running slowly.

SketchUp will automatically put your objects into a preset ‘layer0’, or which ever layer is set as ‘current’.

To create a new layer, simply select ‘Layers’ from the ‘Window’ menu. Then simply select the ‘+’ option and assign your new layer an appropriate name.

To assign an object to a different layer you need to select all objects you wish to move. Open the ‘Entity Info’ dialogue box from the ‘Window’ menu (Fig 2.) and change the layer in the drop down box.

To turn a layer off, simply ‘un-tick’ the ‘Visible’ option in the ‘Layers’ dialogue box.

Tip: you can quick select a face and its edges by double clicking it. Or select a whole 3D object by a triple click.

Fig 1.

Fig 2.

Current layer

Note: ‘ticks’ show which dialogue boxes are currently open

Objects assigned layer

States if layer is ‘on’ or ‘visible’


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Principles: Groups

Making an object, or a number of objects into a ‘group’ is often necessary when working with large or complicated models. It essentially makes everything in the ‘group’ separate from the rest of the model, at least for editing purposes.

(Fig 1.) For example, a simple stone capping piece is easy to form as a cube. But in order to replicate, rotate or move it to follow a wall you would need to select each edge and face individually. But as a group, the block can be selected and moved with a single click.

Practice: Have a go at grouping one of the cubes by ‘triple’ clicking it (to select all faces and edges), right click and select ‘Make group’. (Fig 2.) Then experiment moving it around, rotating it and opening it for editing.

Note: When editing within a group, you can only select and edit things within it. To come out of the group, simply press escape.

Fig 1.

Fig 2.


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Principles: Components

Components are similar to groups in that they can be moved/ edited as an individual entity. But they have a lot more uses and are slightly more complicated.

The main uses (similar to cad blocks) are for replicated detail. Eg. a tree, bollard or bench. Because they are copies of one another they don’t use much file space or RAM to process and so shouldn’t slow down your computer.

Also, because they are essentially the same object, you can edit anyone to change all instances.

To create a component;First select all faces/ edges you wish to be included. Right click and select ‘Make Component’ from the options.

This will then open the ‘Create Component’ dialogue box (Fig 2.) where you can name the component (among other options).

To copy a component (as with a group) you can either use ‘Ctrl & C’ and ‘Ctrl & V’. Or select the component, pick ‘Move’ from the toolbar and select a base point on the component. Then with the component snapped to your curser, press ‘Ctrl’. A small ‘+’ will appear on your curser and you will have a second component (identicle to the first) snapped to your curser.

Fig 1.

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google sketchup introduction workshops · google sketchup to get started simply open google...

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